It is owned and operated by Mercury Energy, and is the seventh and penultimate hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River.

It is also the oldest currently generating, the first government-built, and the largest capacity single hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River.

[1] Arapuni, due to its proximity to Hamilton, plays an important part in voltage support and frequency keeping in the city and the wider Waikato region.

Construction of Arapuni finally began in 1924, but repeated heavy rain and the resulting floods dogged the early works.

In 1934, a 110,000 volt line was commissioned from Arapuni to Stratford in Taranaki, connecting the station to the Mangahao-Waikeremoana system and on to the lower North Island.

"[11] Referring to the discovery of the water seepage problem identified shortly after the commissioning of the dam, the main character suggests that it was a consequence of disrespect for Māori land:Ah, she won't ever be any good.